Terms and Conditions
Last updated: October 2026
South London Bike Tours
These Terms and Conditions apply to all guided cycling and e-bike tours operated by South London Bike Tours, 39 Rock Road, Torquay, TQ2 5SR, United Kingdom.
References in these Terms to “South London Bike Tours”, “we”, “us” or “our” mean South London Bike Tours. References to “you”, “guest”, “rider” or “participant” mean any person booked to take part in one of our tours.
By booking or taking part in one of our tours, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. If you make a booking on behalf of other people, you are responsible for making sure they are aware of these Terms before the tour.
Our tours are outdoor cycling experiences and involve risks which cannot be completely removed. These Terms are intended to explain clearly what we expect from our guests, what you can expect from us, and how we deal with safety, cancellations, weather and events outside our control.
Nothing in these Terms affects any legal rights which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
1. Our tours
South London Bike Tours operates guided small-group bicycle and e-bike tours, typically for groups of up to six guests.
Tours may start at or near Battersea Power Station and travel towards or through areas including Richmond, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Hampton Court, Windsor, riverside routes, cycle paths, parks and public roads.
Routes, distances, timings, stops and destinations shown on our website are intended as a guide. They may need to change on the day for safety, weather, traffic, park restrictions, rider ability or other operational reasons.
Our priority is always to operate the tour safely rather than to complete a particular mileage or reach every advertised stopping point.
2. You must be able to ride a bicycle confidently
Our tours are guided cycling experiences and are not suitable for anyone who cannot already ride a bicycle independently and confidently.
You must be able to balance, start, stop, steer and brake safely and remain in control while observing other road and path users.
We may ask you to complete a short riding assessment before the tour starts.
If the guide reasonably believes that you cannot control the bicycle safely, or that continuing would create a risk to you, the group or the public, we may refuse or end your participation.
If this happens because your cycling ability was materially different from what you told us when booking, a refund will not normally be provided.
3. Using an e-bike
E-bikes can feel different from conventional bicycles, particularly when starting, accelerating or using higher assistance settings.
Before departure, your guide will explain the main controls and give you an opportunity to become familiar with the bike.
You remain responsible for steering, braking, speed, observation and control at all times. Electric assistance does not replace safe cycling judgment.
You must not tamper with, modify, derestrict or interfere with the motor, battery, brakes or other components of the bicycle.
4. Helmets
A correctly fitted cycling helmet must be worn whenever you’re riding. We provide one free of charge. If you’d rather not wear a helmet, you won’t be able to take part in the ride and a refund won’t normally be available.
5. Following your guide
Your guide is responsible for managing the group and making decisions about the route, pace, stopping points and immediate safety of the tour.
You must follow reasonable instructions from your guide.
This includes instructions relating to road positioning, crossings, group formation, speed, pedestrians, wildlife, weather, mechanical problems and whether the group should stop or dismount.
The guide may change an instruction at any time if circumstances change.
6. Do not overtake the lead guide
Unless your guide specifically tells you otherwise, you must remain behind the lead guide and must not overtake or ride ahead of them.
This is one of our most important group safety rules.
A guide may slow or stop because of a hazard that riders behind cannot yet see, such as traffic, a junction, wildlife, pedestrians, poor road conditions or a change to the planned route.
You must not race the guide, race another guest, ride ahead to reach a destination first or continue past the guide when the guide has stopped.
Repeatedly or deliberately riding ahead of the lead guide may result in your participation being ended.
7. Staying with the group
You must remain within the riding formation set by your guide.
Where instructed, guests must ride in single file and maintain a safe distance from the bicycle in front.
Do not ride so closely that you would be unable to stop safely if the rider ahead brakes unexpectedly.
Never ride faster than you are comfortable with simply to keep up with the group.
If you become separated, do not attempt to catch the group by riding at an unsafe speed. Stop somewhere safe where reasonably possible and follow the instructions provided by your guide during the safety briefing.
8. You remain responsible for your own riding
Although your tour is guided, each rider remains responsible for controlling their own bicycle.
You must make your own observations before entering a road, junction, crossing or other potentially hazardous area.
Never assume that it is safe to proceed simply because the guide or another guest has already done so.
A signal or instruction from your guide is intended to assist you. It does not replace your own responsibility to look, assess the situation and ride safely.
9. No racing or reckless riding
Our tours are recreational experiences, not races or competitive cycling events.
Racing, sprinting, competing for position, deliberately testing the maximum speed of an e-bike or encouraging another guest to ride beyond their ability is not permitted.
You must always ride at a speed appropriate to the conditions.
A speed limit is a maximum, not a target. Your guide may require the group to travel significantly more slowly where circumstances require it.
10. Parks, paths and public spaces
Our tours may use public roads, cycle routes, parks, Royal Parks, shared-use paths, riverside routes, towpaths and other public spaces.
Different areas have different rules and restrictions.
You must follow signs, designated cycle routes, applicable laws and any reasonable instruction given by your guide, police, park staff or another authorised person.
If cycling is prohibited or your guide believes it is safer to do so, you may be required to dismount and walk.
11. Pedestrians and other park users
We share many of our routes with pedestrians, runners, children, dogs, horses and other cyclists.
You must ride with consideration for others and reduce your speed when approaching busy or restricted areas.
Where necessary, you must stop and allow others to pass.
Do not aggressively ring your bell, shout at pedestrians or attempt to force your way through a crowded area.
Your guide may require the group to dismount where it is safer or more considerate to do so.
12. Wildlife
Some of the parks and open spaces used on our tours are home to free-roaming wildlife, including deer, geese, swans, ducks, birds, foxes, squirrels and other animals.
Wildlife is unpredictable.
Animals may unexpectedly enter a road, cycle path or riding line and may react differently depending on the season, surrounding people, dogs, traffic and other circumstances.
You must remain alert and be prepared to reduce your speed or stop.
13. Deer and the 50-metre rule
Richmond Park and Bushy Park contain free-roaming deer.
When we are in an area containing deer, you must remain at least 50 metres away from them wherever reasonably possible.
This is a mandatory South London Bike Tours safety rule.
You must not intentionally approach within 50 metres of deer to take photographs, film them or obtain a closer view.
Your guide may require the group to remain considerably further away where circumstances justify it.
If your guide asks you to keep 75 metres, 100 metres or another greater distance away from an animal or herd, you must follow that instruction.
If deer move towards the group and reduce the distance themselves, remain calm, slow down or stop where safe and follow your guide’s instructions. Do not make sudden movements or attempt to ride closely around them.
The Royal Parks currently advises visitors to keep a minimum of 50 metres from deer, which are wild and potentially unpredictable animals.
14. Do not feed or disturb wildlife
You must not feed, touch, chase, frighten, surround or deliberately disturb wildlife.
Do not call animals towards you, block their path or use your bicycle to encourage an animal to move.
You must never place yourself unnecessarily between animals or between an animal and its young.
Feeding deer in Richmond and Bushy Parks is prohibited.
A serious or deliberate breach of our wildlife rules may result in your participation being ended.
15. Taking photographs of wildlife
Wildlife can be an enjoyable part of the tour, but photography must never take priority over safety.
Do not stop suddenly, leave the group, enter prohibited areas or approach an animal simply to take a photograph.
Where possible, your guide may identify a suitable place for the group to stop safely.
You must not use a phone, camera or other device while riding if doing so interferes with your ability to control the bicycle.
16. If wildlife enters our route
Animals may sometimes enter or cross the route without warning.
If this happens, reduce your speed progressively, remain behind the guide and stop if instructed.
Do not swerve unnecessarily and do not independently attempt to cycle through a herd or pass closely in front of or behind an animal.
Wait until your guide indicates that it is appropriate to continue.
17. Deer rutting and birthing seasons
Additional care is required during periods when deer behaviour may become less predictable.
The Royal Parks identifies the deer rut as generally occurring between September and November and the birthing season between May and July.
During these periods we may change the route, increase the distance we keep from deer, avoid particular areas, ask guests to dismount or wait until animals have moved.
Safety will always take priority over following the planned route.
18. Risks associated with cycling
Cycling and e-biking involve inherent risks which cannot be completely eliminated, even when reasonable precautions are taken.
These may include falls, collisions, traffic, pedestrians, other cyclists, wildlife, dogs, horses, potholes, gravel, wet leaves, mud, slippery surfaces, kerbs, bollards, uneven ground, changing weather, reduced visibility, sudden braking, mechanical problems and rider error.
By choosing to participate, you acknowledge and accept the ordinary risks associated with cycling which remain after reasonable precautions have been taken.
This does not mean that you give up any legal rights or that South London Bike Tours can avoid responsibility for negligence where the law makes us responsible.
19. Changes to routes and itineraries
We may alter, shorten, extend, reverse or divert a route where reasonably necessary.
Reasons may include road closures, traffic, weather, flooding, wildlife, park restrictions, police instructions, roadworks, major events, unsafe surfaces, participant ability, illness, mechanical problems, daylight or any other circumstance affecting safe or practical operation of the tour.
A reasonable route change will not normally entitle you to a refund where the main guided cycling experience has still been provided.
20. Richmond, Hampton Court and Windsor tours
Longer tours towards Richmond, Hampton Court or Windsor depend on conditions on the day.
Weather, daylight, route closures, group speed, rider ability, battery performance, wildlife and other circumstances may affect whether a particular destination or stopping point can be reached.
Where the guide reasonably considers that continuing to the planned destination is unsafe or impractical, the route may be changed.
21. Weather
Our tours are outdoor activities and normally operate in typical British weather, including light or moderate rain.
Guests are responsible for arriving with clothing suitable for the forecast conditions.
Rain alone does not normally entitle you to cancel the tour or receive a refund.
However, we may delay, change, shorten, postpone or cancel a tour where we reasonably believe conditions are unsafe or materially unsuitable.
This may include high winds, lightning, flooding, snow, ice, extreme heat, severe rainfall, poor visibility or official warnings and closures.
Weather can change quickly and, where necessary, a final decision may be made shortly before the tour is due to start.
22. Cancellation by South London Bike Tours
We may cancel a tour where reasonably necessary because of unsafe weather, route closures, guide illness, serious equipment problems, park restrictions, emergencies or another circumstance which prevents us from operating the tour safely.
If we cancel the whole tour before it begins and cannot provide a reasonable alternative, we will normally offer you either another available date, a comparable alternative tour or a refund of the tour price you paid to us.
Unless the law requires otherwise, we are not responsible for separate travel or accommodation expenses such as hotels, flights, trains, taxis, parking or meals.
23. Events beyond our reasonable control
There may be occasions when we cannot provide the tour as planned because of circumstances genuinely outside our reasonable control.
These may include severe weather, flooding, natural disasters, emergency road or park closures, terrorism or serious security incidents, civil disturbance, police or government action, major infrastructure failure, significant transport disruption, industrial action by third parties or comparable events.
Where reasonably possible, we will try to offer a suitable alternative.
Nothing in this section affects rights which you have under applicable consumer law.
24. Customer cancellations
Unless different cancellation terms are clearly displayed when you book:
If you cancel at least 24 hours before departure, you may receive a full refund or move your booking to another available date.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before departure, the booking will normally be non-refundable.
We may allow a change of date at our discretion where circumstances and availability permit.
Any cancellation rights which apply compulsorily under law remain unaffected.
25. Late arrival and no-shows
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the advertised departure time.
This gives us time to allocate bikes, fit helmets, explain the e-bike controls and complete the safety briefing.
Tours must leave on time and we cannot guarantee that a guest arriving late will be able to join once the group has departed.
If you miss the tour because you arrive late, or fail to attend without cancelling within the required period, the booking will normally be treated as a no-show and will be non-refundable.
26. Alcohol, drugs and impairment
You must not ride if your ability to do so safely is materially affected by alcohol, recreational drugs, medication, fatigue or another physical or mental condition.
Your guide may refuse or end your participation if they reasonably believe you are not safe to ride.
Where this results from your own impairment, a refund will not normally be provided.
27. Health and fitness
You are responsible for deciding whether you are physically capable of taking part in the tour.
Before departure, please tell us about any relevant medical condition, injury or medication which could materially affect your ability to cycle safely or which may be important in an emergency.
We do not provide medical advice, and allowing you to participate does not amount to confirmation that the tour is medically appropriate for you.
If you are uncertain, you should seek appropriate medical advice before taking part.
28. Unsafe or disruptive behaviour
We may refuse or end a guest’s participation if they behave in a way that creates a material risk to themselves, the group or members of the public.
This includes repeatedly overtaking the guide, leaving the group, racing, riding recklessly, ignoring safety instructions, interfering with wildlife, riding while impaired, deliberately damaging equipment or behaving abusively.
Where participation is ended because of a guest’s own serious misconduct, a refund will not normally be available.
29. Bikes and equipment
We take reasonable steps to inspect and maintain our bicycles and equipment.
You must tell your guide immediately if you notice anything unusual or potentially unsafe, including a problem with the brakes, steering, tyres, motor, battery or other equipment.
If a problem develops during the ride, stop as soon as it is reasonably safe to do so and notify the guide.
We may repair or replace a bicycle or alter the route where necessary.
30. E-bike battery range
Battery range varies and cannot be guaranteed to an exact distance.
It can be affected by the assistance level used, rider weight, terrain, temperature, wind, gradients and the amount of stopping and starting.
Please follow your guide’s instructions on assistance settings and battery use.
If a battery problem occurs, we will take reasonable steps to deal with it, which may include changing the bicycle, battery, route or assistance settings where practicable.
31. Damage to our equipment
Please take reasonable care of any bicycle, helmet or other equipment provided to you.
You may be responsible for reasonable repair or replacement costs where damage or loss is caused deliberately, recklessly or negligently.
You will not be charged for normal wear and tear, an inherent defect or damage for which you are not legally responsible.
Any amount charged will be based on our reasonable actual loss and will not be used as a penalty.
32. Personal belongings
You are responsible for personal belongings you bring with you.
We recommend keeping valuables secure and protecting phones, cameras and other water-sensitive equipment appropriately.
We are not responsible for loss or damage caused by something for which we are not legally responsible.
Nothing in this clause excludes responsibility for loss caused by our negligence where the law makes us responsible.
33. Accidents and incidents
Please report any accident, collision, fall, injury, wildlife incident, property damage or significant near miss to your guide as soon as possible.
Depending on the circumstances, the guide may stop the tour, change the route, provide basic first aid within their competence, contact emergency services or arrange other assistance.
Guests must reasonably cooperate with any accident or incident reporting procedure.
34. Leaving the tour early
You may leave the tour early where it is safe to do so, but you should tell your guide before leaving whenever reasonably possible.
If you voluntarily leave the tour against the guide’s advice, you will normally be responsible for arranging and paying for your onward journey.
A refund will not normally be provided for a part of the tour that you choose not to complete.
35. Insurance
South London Bike Tours maintains business insurance appropriate to its operations, subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of the relevant policies.
The existence of insurance does not create liability where South London Bike Tours would not otherwise be legally responsible.
We recommend that guests consider appropriate personal travel, medical, accident, cancellation and personal-property insurance.
Visitors travelling from outside the United Kingdom should ensure their own insurance provides suitable cover for their trip and planned activities.
36. Our responsibility to you
South London Bike Tours will provide its services with reasonable care and skill.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability which cannot legally be excluded or restricted.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 expressly prevents a trader from excluding liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence.
Subject to those legal protections, we will not be responsible for loss, injury, damage, delay or expense to the extent that it results from an inherent risk of cycling, an inherent risk associated with wildlife, your own acts or omissions, failure to follow reasonable safety instructions, riding beyond your ability, overtaking the guide contrary to instructions, leaving the group formation, approaching wildlife contrary to instructions, inaccurate information supplied by you, the independent actions of a third party for whom we are not legally responsible, or circumstances genuinely outside our reasonable control.
Where both our actions and a participant’s own actions contribute to an accident, injury or loss, responsibility will be determined in accordance with applicable law.
37. Indirect and unforeseeable losses
To the extent permitted by law, South London Bike Tours is not responsible for losses which were not reasonably foreseeable when the contract was made.
Where you book principally for personal or recreational purposes, we will not be responsible for business losses such as loss of profit, revenue, opportunity or goodwill.
This does not affect any legal rights which cannot be excluded.
38. Third-party businesses and attractions
A tour may include or pass cafés, restaurants, visitor attractions, transport providers or other independently operated businesses and facilities.
Unless we specifically tell you otherwise, these organisations are not operated by South London Bike Tours.
Opening times, availability and access may change without notice.
We are not responsible for their independent acts or omissions except where the law makes us responsible.
39. Photography and video
We may occasionally take photographs or video during a tour.
Where identifiable images are intended to be used for promotional or marketing purposes, we will deal with them in accordance with applicable privacy and data-protection requirements.
If you do not want to appear in optional group photographs, please tell your guide.
40. Personal information
We will handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection law.
We may use information where reasonably necessary to manage bookings, operate tours, communicate with guests, manage safety, respond to emergencies, investigate incidents or comply with legal obligations.
Health and emergency information will be handled with particular care.
41. Information you provide to us
You must provide accurate information where we reasonably request it.
This may include your age, cycling ability, height, equipment requirements, relevant accessibility or health information and emergency contact details.
To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for consequences caused by materially inaccurate or misleading information supplied to us.
42. Children and younger riders
All participants must satisfy the legal age requirements applicable to the bicycle or e-bike being supplied.
For riders under 18, we may require parental or guardian consent and participation by an accompanying responsible adult.
We may set a higher minimum age for particular routes or equipment where reasonably necessary for safety or insurance purposes.
43. Complaints
If something goes wrong during your tour, please tell your guide as soon as reasonably possible. This gives us an opportunity to try to resolve the matter at the time.
Any complaint after the tour may be sent to:
South London Bike Tours
39 Rock Road
Torquay
TQ2 5SR
United Kingdom
Email: info@southlondonbiketours.com
Nothing in this section limits any statutory right or legal remedy available to you.
44. If part of these Terms cannot be enforced
If a court or other competent authority finds that part of these Terms is invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be treated as changed or removed only to the extent necessary.
The remainder of the Terms will continue to apply.
45. Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time.
Unless applicable law requires otherwise, the version made available when you booked will normally apply to your booking.
We will not retrospectively remove legal rights that you had when your booking was made.
46. Governing law
These Terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.
The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory consumer right to bring proceedings elsewhere.
Important points to remember before you ride
By taking part in a South London Bike Tours tour, you confirm that you are able to ride a bicycle safely and independently, will wear the required helmet and will follow reasonable instructions given by your guide.
In particular, you agree that you will not overtake or ride ahead of the lead guide unless specifically instructed, will remain with the group, will make your own observations at roads and junctions, and will not race or ride recklessly.
When wildlife is present, you will follow your guide’s instructions, will not feed, touch, chase or approach animals and, where deer are present, will remain at least 50 metres away wherever reasonably possible.
You also understand that cycling is an outdoor activity involving inherent risks which cannot be entirely removed, even when reasonable care and sensible safety precautions are taken.
Your acceptance of those inherent risks does not remove any liability which South London Bike Tours cannot lawfully exclude.